Posted inHealth Resources

Sexual Abuse & Assault Resources

“The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It’s the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared.”

Lois Lowry, The Giver

 

Christian Science can be a very lonely, isolating religion, with a focus on individual study, and an individual’s understanding of Eddy’s works. If someone is struggling to demonstrate a healing, they are at fault for not “correcting” their thinking. If someone has unfortunate events befall them, again, they are seen to be somehow lacking spiritual understanding. When one is struggling with these problems, they often feel as if they are the only one who is, voicing the problem only gives it power, and other Christian Scientists are demonstrating perfectly, surely they’re not having any trouble.

The following stories deal with sexual assault and abuse, and discuss how these issues were “handled” through Christian Science. We have chosen to share them with the hopes of reaching those who need to hear they are not alone.

There is help available and you are worth it.

ribbonNational Sexual Assault Hotline operated by RAINN – To be connected to the rape crisis center nearest to you, dial 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) 1-877-739-3895

Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient. Falling under the definition of sexual assault are sexual activities as forced sexual intercourse, forcible sodomy, child molestation, incest, fondling, and attempted rape. (Justice.gov)

Posted inFirst Hand Experiences

Born Perfect

By Elizabeth, an Ex-Christian Scientist Group contributor. “What would you do if you broke your leg?” The question every Christian Scientist kid has had to answer numerous times. My Sunday…
Posted inLeaving Christian Science

My Departure (Jeremy)

By Jeremy, an Ex-Christian Scientist Group contributor.

The best way I’ve been able to describe my departure from Christian Science is as ‘death by a thousand cuts’. In a sense, it’s a process that evolved over my lifetime up until I made my final break. I was born into Christian Science and was third-generation on both sides of my family. Throughout my childhood, and into my adult years, I always had questions, always harboured doubts about Christian Science. I even briefly left in my late teens, but returned by the time I was 20. All the while, I desperately wanted to ‘make it work’, and it was that desire that kept me ‘in’ for so long.